Trip Adventure

So apparently crazy isn't just reserved for our life here on our faux farm. Crazy seems to follow us wherever we go. I'm not sure I appreciate the implications but at least it keeps life interesting.

Early in June, we took a family trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota. I remember going there when I was six years old and had so much fun but I had forgotten about the beautiful scenery. We rented a small house in Rapid City for our stay and our first night there started out with adventure.

I was just finishing tucking the girls in for the night (not an easy task considering we were in a new, exciting place) when Jon came in and said he needed my help. While he was trying to fix a door that wouldn't close properly, a garter snake slithered by him into the house. He unsuccessfully tried to shoo it out but ended up trapping it under a garbage can instead.

We took a newspaper and slid it under the can and I made Jon carry it outside while I took pictures. He is just lucky that I am not afraid of snakes. Not that I want loose snakes in my house but when I worked in a zoo, I was in charge of the snakes for a time. That meant I fed them and cleaned the cages. I also led many programs in which I taught about snakes. I even had to work with rattlesnakes (not for the programs though!) so needless to say, snakes don't bother me much.

Even though I took pictures, I did help by poking the snake's tail back under the can while Jon was sliding the newspaper underneath. I think the best part of this adventure was that we turned it into a running joke the entire trip. Every time we left the house, the girls would shout out that Daddy needed to check for snakes before we went out the door. It was hilarious!

Don't worry, I opened the door for him!